Dancing Ganesha

Indrani Rahman (1930-99) was a world-renowned classical dancer of the Bharatnatayam, Kuchipuri and Odissi genres. In 1952, she also achieved fame as the first Miss India title-holder. M.F. Husain was enraptured by Indrani and detailed his friendship with her in his 2002 autobiography, Where Art Thou [Husain Ki Kahani-Apni Zabani]. The dancing form of Ganesha had great personal significance for Indrani, as her favorite deity, which Husain painted especially for her.